'Newton Park' theatre production
News
BSU students retell the rich history of our Newton Park campus through immersive theatre production
Wednesday, 10 December, 2025Bath Spa University BA Acting and BA Theatre, Festival and Event Production students have been working with Bath Spa Productions on a theatrical journey through the past four centuries of history at Newton Park campus.
Written by Emily Jenkins, Adam Usden and Oscar Blustin, Newton Park is an immersive, promenade theatre piece which follows four young women in 1945, under the watchful eye of Mary Dawson – founder and Principal of Newton Park Teacher Training College – as they rediscover the hidden history of Newton Park’s post-war abandoned estate. This production is a celebration of history and imagination, told in the very place where these stories first unfolded.
Previous versions of this performance showed in 2016 and 2022, but the work has been reimagined for the 25-26 cohort of graduating students. This year, Newton Park is being directed by a visiting professional director, Kirstie Davis.
Dr Kate James, Teaching Fellow in History, who was involved in the research for the piece said:
“I’ve been delighted to work with the team for this production, which allows us once again to appreciate the many layers of history Newton Park has witnessed over the centuries. I first came here as an undergraduate student in 2008 and grew so fascinated with the place that I stayed and wrote my PhD on its history. We’re all part of Newton Park’s rich tapestry; the owners and workers of the past, the students, staff and visitors of today – and each of us adds more detail every day.”
When asked about being involved in the writing of the work, co-writer Oscar Blustin said:
"There's always something special about recreating events from history in the places where they originally happened. Newton Park is brimming with stories and dramatising them in the rooms where they took place is a magical experience. In a historic town like Bath it's easy to take the past for granted – I hope audiences who see this show spend some time considering the human stories behind all this grand architecture, and imagining the people and stories that occupied their homes, streets and neighbourhoods over the centuries."
This project takes place as a part of third year BA Acting and BA Theatre, Festival and Event Production students’ programme of study and aims to equip students with a variety of crucial industry-relevant skills. The students collaborate across the performance, design and technical production of the show, which replicates the real-life working environments of professional productions.
Third year Acting student, Elisabeth May Basile, shared an insight into her experience playing Mary Dawson in Newton Park:
“The best thing about being part of this show is discovering, in detail, the history of this campus that has been my home for three years. It was a fascinating and inspiring journey; a true honour."
Third year Theatre, Festival and Event Production student, Dan Brown who worked as the Lighting Designer for Newton Park, said:
"Designing the Lighting for Newton Park has been really fun, despite the challenges presented with designing for promenade theatre in a listed building. Hopefully the design highlights the actors’ talents and immerses the audience in the history of Main House.”
Newton Park is showing from 18-20 December, beginning in the Commons Atrium before moving into the historic Main House building. More information and insights into the creative process can be found on Bath Spa Productions’ Instagram page. Showtimes and tickets are available on Ticketsource.